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Information and knowledge management professionals are unanimous today when recommending a sound learning management system as a benchmark for successful corporate workforce training and retraining. Once an organization makes a commitment to using e-learning as its primary training solution for employees and management, selecting the right learning management system, or LMS, is the next major milestone. When selecting a learning management system, there are several factors and issues to consider that will determine how effective your training strategy will be.
A learning management system is a part of a larger e-learning equation called the learning management suite. Like the Microsoft Office Suite, this unified group of software applications works in a highly integrated environment, to include:
- Learning Management System (LMS)
- Learning Content Management System (LCMS)
- Competency management software
- Online collaboration module
- Analytics and reporting software
- Virtual Classroom Integration Software
- Performance Management
- Compensation Management
- Social Networking
- Compensation Management
When selecting the right LMS suite for your organization, judgment should be exercised to ensure that the chosen training solution delivers full-fledged functionality in all six areas mentioned above.
As an organization seriously considering online corporate employee training, you have the choice of either installing the LMS suite on your company’s servers or contracting with an online learning solutions company to host on their servers. This decision is usually based on your budgetary commitment, in-house technical expertise and the number of employees. Training professionals are known to initially recommend a hosting solution for companies with little or no experience in enterprise wide e-learning with platform migration to your servers to follow at a later time.
Learning management systems are configurable in a broad range of application intensive modes. The number of qualified vendors is impressive and continues to grow at a robust pace. The pure play companies, for instance, provide stand-alone learning management software solutions that are modular, customizable and scalable. On the other hand, the ERP-based enterprise e-learning vendors provide training solutions that are an adjunct to installed ERP functionality. However, a pure play vendor such as Intelladon can integrate its award-winning LMS software, Net Dimensions EKP from Net Dimensions or Cornerstone OnDemand, with an existing ERP setup such as Oracle PeopleSoft and SAP. Other significant factors to consider when evaluating RFP responses from the vendors of learning management systems include:
Ability to initiate a live demo and free trial prior to full-fledged functional deployment
Ability to address your company’s compliance training needs in accordance with industry guidelines
Flexibility to engage successfully in the deployment of third party learner content
Adherence to global standards such as SCORM 1.2, AICC and SCORM 2004.
Integration with your existing training delivery and assessment model
Backend technical support and training in the use of the LMS
It is best to clearly define objectives and milestones well in advance by developing a cohesive action plan and road map complete with a vision and philosophy. For most enterprises, the process of selecting a learning management system is akin to corporate relocation and demands a high level of introspection, analysis and determination.
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